JP2023178906A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus that can improve maintainability is provided. An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and an opening/closing cover that is supported by the apparatus main body in an openable and closable manner and exposes an opening of the apparatus main body when opened with respect to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes a main body frame, a plurality of transport units capable of transporting sheets and detachable from the opening with respect to the main body frame, a control board for controlling the plurality of transport units, and the control board. a relay board electrically connected to the board, each of the plurality of transport units has a first connector, and the relay board is arranged to face the opening and has a plurality of transport units. It has a plurality of second connectors that can be connected to the first connector, and is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the attachment/detachment locus when the plurality of transport units are attached to and detached from the main body frame. [Selection view] Fig. 4

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus includes an optical print head that emits light to form a latent image on a photoreceptor, a tray for pulling the optical print head out of an image forming apparatus, and a relay board fixed to a support member. An image forming apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The relay board is provided with a first connector for connecting to the control board using FFC, and a second connector for connecting to the optical print head using FFC.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-183047

However, the second connector of the relay board described in Patent Document 1 is not exposed even when the cover that constitutes the exterior of the image forming apparatus is opened, and there is a problem in maintainability. Incidentally, there is known an image forming apparatus that is configured to be divided into a plurality of units having different functions, and each unit is configured to be detachable from a main body frame. It is desired to improve the maintainability of such units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can improve maintainability.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes an apparatus main body having an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet, an opening of the apparatus main body that is supported by the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and that is opened with respect to the apparatus main body. an opening/closing cover that exposes a sheet, and the device main body includes a main body frame, a plurality of transport units that are capable of transporting sheets and that are attachable to and detachable from the main body frame through the opening, and the plurality of transport units that It has a control board that controls the unit, and a relay board that is electrically connected to the control board, each of the plurality of transport units has a first connector, and the relay board has the opening a plurality of second connectors that are arranged so as to face the main body frame and connectable to the plurality of first connectors, and are located at positions that do not interfere with attachment/detachment trajectories when the plurality of transport units are attached to and detached from the main body frame. characterized by being placed.

According to the present invention, maintainability can be improved.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the rear part of the printer main body. (a) is a perspective view showing the right side of the printer main body, and (b) is a side view showing the right side of the printer main body. (a) is a sectional view showing the secondary transfer unit, and (b) is a perspective view showing the secondary transfer unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the secondary transfer unit installed in the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the secondary transfer unit is removed. (a) is a perspective view showing a registration unit, and (b) is a sectional view showing the registration unit. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the registration unit attached to the main body frame. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the registration unit is removed. (a) is a perspective view showing a feeding unit, and (b) is a sectional view taken along line 11B-11B in (a). FIG. 3 is a front view showing the feeding unit attached to the main body frame. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the feeding unit is removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a discharge unit. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the ejection unit attached to the main body frame. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the ejection unit is removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the left side and front side of the printer main body. A top view of the printer body viewed in the vertical direction. FIG. 3 is a top view of the image forming apparatus viewed in the vertical direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the high-voltage power supply board is removed.

An image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of application of the present technology to only those, unless there is a specific description. .

[Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus]
First, the schematic configuration of image forming apparatus 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Note that "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "right", and "left" of the bidirectional arrows shown in FIG. 1 indicate directions with respect to the image forming apparatus 1000. "Front" refers to the side of the image forming apparatus 1000 on which the front door FD is attached, and may also be referred to as the front. “Rear” refers to the back side of the image forming apparatus 1000 opposite to the front door FD, and is also sometimes referred to as the back side. Further, "top" refers to the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1000 in the vertical direction, and "bottom" refers to the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1000 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, "right" refers to the right side when image forming apparatus 1000 is viewed from the front door FD side, and "left" refers to the left side when image forming apparatus 1000 is viewed from the front door FD side.

The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a printer 400 and an image reading section 300, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the image reading section 300 disposed above the printer 400 includes a reading unit 301 and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 302, and optically scans a document to read image information. The original includes paper such as paper and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHT), and sheets such as cloth. The image information converted into electrical signals by the image reading section 300 is transferred to the image processing controller 26 (see FIG. 3) provided in the printer 400.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 400 includes a printer body 1, an optional feeder 100 connected to the bottom of the printer body 1, and an optional large-capacity feeding deck 200 connected to the bottom of the feeder 100. It has . Note that the large-capacity feeding deck 200 can be connected not only to the lower part of the feeder 100 but also to the lower part of the printer main body 1.

The printer main body 1 includes an image forming section 33 that forms an image on a sheet that is a recording medium, a fixing device 23, a pair of discharge rollers 24, and a sheet feeding device 34 that feeds the sheet S to the image forming section 33. have. The sheet feeding device 34 includes a cassette 2 that can store sheets S, and a feeding section 3. The feeding section 3 includes a pickup roller 3a that feeds the sheets S stored in the cassette 2, and a pair of separation rollers 3b that separates the sheets S fed by the pickup roller 3a one by one. There is.

Similarly, the feeder 100 includes a cassette 2 that can store sheets, and a feeding section 3 that feeds the sheets stored in the cassette 2. Furthermore, the feeder 100 includes a pair of intermediate conveying rollers 11 that convey the sheet S fed by the feeding section toward the printer main body 1. The large-capacity feeding deck 200 includes a feeding deck 201, a feeding section 3, and a pair of intermediate conveying rollers 11. The feeding deck 201 can accommodate more sheets S than the cassette 2, for example about 2000 sheets S.

The image forming unit 33 includes four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K that form toner images in four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, and a scanner unit. 12 and an intermediate transfer unit 15. The process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are removable from the housing of the printer main body 1. Note that the four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K have the same configuration except that the colors of the images they form are different. Therefore, only the configuration and image forming process of the process cartridge 6Y will be described, and descriptions of the process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted.

The process cartridge 6Y includes a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier, a charging roller 8, a developing roller 9, and a cleaner 10. The photosensitive drum 7 is constructed by coating an organic photoconductive layer on the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). The scanner unit 12 is arranged below the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K.

The intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed above the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, and includes an intermediate transfer belt 17 wound around a drive roller 16, a tension roller 14, and the like. Primary transfer rollers 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 17.

A secondary transfer roller 20 that forms a secondary transfer nip T2 with the intermediate transfer belt 17 is arranged on the opposite side of the drive roller 16 with the intermediate transfer belt 17 in between. Further, a cleaning unit 21 is arranged on the opposite side of the tension roller 14 with the intermediate transfer belt 17 in between. Above the intermediate transfer unit 15, there is a high-voltage power supply board 13 as a power supply board that generates voltages to be applied to the charging roller 8, the developing roller 9, the primary transfer rollers 18Y, 18M, 18C, 18K, the secondary transfer roller 20, etc. It is located. Further, a toner collection container 22 is arranged between the high-voltage power supply board 13 and the sheet tray 25 in the vertical direction, in which the toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 17 by the cleaning unit 21 is stored. The fixing device 23 includes a heating unit 23a that has a heat source such as a heater, and a pressure roller 23b that forms a fixing nip together with the heating unit 23a.

Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1000 configured as described above will be described. When an image signal is input to the scanner unit 12 from a personal computer or the like (not shown) or the image reading section 300, the scanner unit 12 irradiates the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge 6Y with a laser beam corresponding to the image signal.

At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged in advance to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging roller 8, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by being irradiated with laser light from the scanner unit 12. . The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed by a developing roller 9, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7.

Similarly, each photosensitive drum of the process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K is also irradiated with laser light from the scanner unit 12, and magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed on each photosensitive drum. be done. The toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17 by primary transfer rollers 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K, and then transferred to the secondary transfer roller 20 by the intermediate transfer belt 17 rotated by the drive roller 16. transported. Toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by a cleaner 10. Note that the image forming process for each color is performed at the timing of overlapping the upstream toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17.

In parallel with this image forming process, the sheet S is fed from the sheet feeding device 34, feeder 100, or large capacity feeding deck 200 of the printer main body 1. Then, the sheet S is conveyed to the registration roller pair 5, and the skew is corrected by hitting the nip of the stopped registration roller pair 5.

The registration roller pair 5 transports the sheet S in accordance with the image transfer timing, and the sheet S is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17 at the secondary transfer nip T2 by the secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 20. A full-color toner image is transferred. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is conveyed to a toner collection container 22 by a cleaning unit 21. Heat and pressure are applied to the sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred in the fixing device 23, so that the toner is melted and fixed (fixed). The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 23 is discharged onto a sheet tray 25 by a pair of discharge rollers 24 .

[Configuration of the rear part of the printer body]
Next, the configuration of the back portion of the printer main body 1 will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the printer main body 1 with the exterior cover removed. As shown in FIG. 3, an image processing controller 26, a controller board 27 as a control board, and a power supply device 28 are provided on the back side of the printer main body 1. The image processing controller 26 processes signals received from an input device such as a personal computer, and instructs the controller board 27 to perform a print job. The controller board 27 receives a print job from the image processing controller 26, controls the operation of each part of the printer 400 (see FIG. 1), and executes print processing. The power supply device 28 is connected to the high-voltage power supply board 13, the image processing controller 26, the controller board 27, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1000 with metal bundle wires, and supplies power to each part of the image forming apparatus 1000 (see FIG. 1). do. Note that the power supply device 28 is also connected to the feeder 100 and the large-capacity feeding deck 200 with metal bundle wires, and supplies power to these.

[Description of each unit]
Next, the configuration of each unit of the printer main body 1 will be explained. 4(a) is a perspective view showing the printer main body 1 with the jam handling cover 70 open, and FIG. 4(b) is a side view showing the printer main body 1 with the jam handling cover 70 open. be. The printer main body 1 has a plurality of transport units capable of transporting sheets S. Specifically, the printer main body 1 includes a feeding unit 30, a registration unit 40, a secondary transfer unit 50, and a discharge unit 60 as a plurality of transport units, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). are doing.

A jam handling cover 70 is provided on the right side of the printer body 1 and is supported so as to be openable and closable about a rotation shaft 70a with respect to the device body 1A of the printer body 1. The rotation shaft 70a extends in the front-rear direction. The jam handling cover 70 serving as an opening/closing cover exposes the opening 35 of the apparatus main body 1A by being opened with respect to the apparatus main body 1A. The jam handling cover 70 also includes a manual feed tray 4 on which sheets are stacked, and a duplex conveyance path (not shown) through which the sheet passes during duplex printing in which images are formed on both sides of the sheet.

The above-described feeding unit 30, registration unit 40, secondary transfer unit 50, and ejection unit 60 are removable from the apparatus main body 1A through the opening 35. In this embodiment, the apparatus main body 1A refers to the portion of the printer main body 1 excluding a cover that can be opened and closed, such as the jam handling cover 70.

The feeding unit 30 includes a feeding section 3 and a pair of intermediate conveying rollers 11, as shown in FIG. 11(b). Further, the feeding unit 30 includes a flag member 36 and a tip detection sensor 31. The flag member 36 is rotatable around the rotating shaft 36c of one of the pair of intermediate conveying rollers 11, and includes a flag portion 36a and a light shielding portion 36b. The flag portion 36a is arranged so as to protrude into the conveyance path when the flag member 36 is located at the standby position.

When the sheet S fed by the feeding section 3 presses the flag section 36a, the flag member 36 rotates around the rotating shaft 36c, and the light shielding section 36b shields the optical path of the leading edge detection sensor 31. Thereby, the leading edge detection sensor 31 can detect the leading edge of the fed sheet S.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the registration unit 40 is a unit that includes a pair of registration rollers 5, and includes a flag member 45, a registration sensor 41, and an electromagnetic clutch 42. Like the flag member 36 described above, the flag member 45 blocks the optical path of the registration sensor 41 by being pressed by the sheet S being conveyed. Thereby, the registration sensor 41 can detect the leading edge of the sheet S being conveyed. The electromagnetic clutch 42 connects and disconnects the drive to the registration roller pair 5 based on the detection result of the registration sensor 41, and rotates or stops the registration roller pair 5.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the secondary transfer unit 50 includes a flag member 52 that is rotatable about a rotation shaft 52a and a loop sensor 51. The flag member 52 has a contact portion 52b that contacts the surface of the sheet between the secondary transfer nip T2 and the fixing device 23. Since the contact portion 52b follows the surface of the sheet, the flag member 52 rotates about the rotation axis 52a according to the amount of loops formed in the sheet. As the flag member 52 rotates, the loop sensor 51 is turned on or off, and the sheet conveyance speed at the secondary transfer nip T2 or the fixing nip of the fixing device 23 is controlled based on the signal from the loop sensor 51. Thereby, the loop amount of the sheet between the secondary transfer nip T2 and the fixing device 23 is controlled to a predetermined amount.

As shown in FIG. 14, the discharge unit 60 includes a pair of discharge rollers 24 and a reversing flapper (not shown) that switches whether to discharge the sheet S to the sheet tray 25 or to convey it to a double-sided reversing conveyance path (not shown). It is a unit containing. Further, the discharge unit 60 includes an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) that switches the position of the reversing flapper, and a discharge sensor (not shown) that detects the leading edge of the sheet.

[Relay board]
Next, the relay board 80 provided in the apparatus main body 1A of the printer main body 1 and electrically connected to the controller board 27 will be explained using FIGS. 3 to 4(b). The device main body 1A has a main body frame 90 including a first side plate 91 and a second side plate 92. The first side plate 91 and the second side plate 92 are each formed into a plate shape extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction, and are arranged at different positions in the front-back direction. That is, the first side plate 91 and the second side plate 92 extend along the attachment/detachment direction of the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60, which will be described later. The second side plate 92 is arranged behind the first side plate 91 so that a space SP exists between the second side plate 92 and the first side plate 91.

Further, the image processing controller 26, controller board 27, and power supply device 28 described above are arranged behind the second side plate 92. As shown in FIG. 4(b), a hole 90a is formed in the main body frame 90, and a support member 82 is fixed to the hole 90a. A relay board 80 is fixed to the support member 82 in an upright position in the vertical direction. That is, the relay board 80 is arranged along a virtual plane in which the board surface extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Further, the hole 90a, the support member 82, and the relay board 80 are arranged at the rear of the second side plate 92.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(b), the relay board 80 has a first surface 81 and a second surface 84 that extend in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, respectively. In other words, the first surface and the second surface 84 extend along the vertical direction. The first surface 81 is arranged so as to face rearward and to the outside of the printer main body 1 through the opening 35 . In other words, the first surface 81 is provided so as to face the jam handling cover 70 in a closed state with respect to the apparatus main body 1A. The second surface 84 is arranged on the opposite side to the first surface 81 so as to face the front and into the interior of the printer main body 1 .

The first surface 81 of the relay board 80 is provided with a plurality of connectors 85 as second connectors. The plurality of connectors 85 are connected to the sensors, electromagnetic clutches, electromagnetic solenoids, etc. of the above-mentioned feeding unit 30, registration unit 40, secondary transfer unit 50, and discharge unit 60 via metal bundle wires. Various connectors are soldered to the second surface 84 of the relay board 80 and connected to the controller board 27 via a flexible flat cable (hereinafter referred to as FFC) 86 (see FIG. 3) as a signal line. An FFC connector 87 is provided. FFC connector 87 constitutes a third connector.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the relay board 80 is covered by a cover member 83 supported by the main body frame 90, so that even if the jam removal cover 70 is opened, the user cannot touch the first surface 81. It is configured so that the plurality of installed connectors 85 cannot be touched. This can prevent the static electricity from flowing into the controller board 27 via the FFC connector 87 when the user's hand charged with static electricity touches the plurality of connectors 85, thereby preventing the controller board 27 from breaking down.

[Replacement procedure for each unit]
Next, using FIGS. 4(a) to 16, a replacement procedure when a service person replaces the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 as a plurality of transport units will be described. I will explain about it. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the service person opens the jam handling cover 70 with respect to the apparatus main body 1A to expose the opening 35 on the right side of the apparatus main body 1A.

Next, the service person removes the cover member 83 covering the relay board 80 from the main body frame 90, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). As a result, the plurality of connectors 85 provided on the first surface 81 of the relay board 80 are exposed through the opening 35. That is, at least a portion of the first surface 81 of the relay board 80 and the plurality of connectors 85 are arranged at a position overlapping the opening 35 when viewed in the front-rear direction. The replacement procedure for each unit will be explained below.

[Secondary transfer unit replacement procedure]
As shown in FIG. 5B, the secondary transfer unit 50 has support shafts 51a and 51b, and these support shafts 51a and 51b extend parallel to the rotation axis of the secondary transfer roller 20. . As shown in FIG. 6, the support shafts 51a, 51b are engaged with engagement holes (not shown) of the registration unit 40, and are rotatably supported by the registration unit 40 around the support shafts 51a, 51b. There is.

The engagement hole with which the support shaft 51a engages is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the engagement hole with which the support shaft 51b engages has a substantially U-shape with one side (for example, the upper side) open. Further, the secondary transfer unit 50 is supported by the registration unit 40 and is urged forward by a spring (not shown). Thereby, the secondary transfer unit 50 is attached to the registration unit 40 while being positioned in the front-back direction. When the jam handling cover 70 is closed, the secondary transfer unit 50 is fixed by the lock members 50L, 50L attached to the main body frame 90 such that the secondary transfer roller 20 is in contact with the intermediate transfer unit 15. There is.

When the jam handling cover 70 is opened, the secondary transfer unit 50 rotates around the support shafts 51a and 51b in a direction away from the intermediate transfer unit 15 in conjunction with the opening operation of the jam handling cover 70. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 5(b), the service person removes the connector 50a as the first connector of the secondary transfer unit 50 from the connector 85 of the relay board 80, and attaches it to the support member 82. Remove the twisted wires. Note that the connector 50a is connected, for example, to the loop sensor 51 via a bundled wire.

The service person pushes the secondary transfer unit 50 backward against a spring (not shown) that urges the secondary transfer unit 50 forward. Thereby, the support shaft 51a can be removed from the cylindrical engagement hole. In this state, by lifting the secondary transfer unit 50 upward, the support shaft 51b is removed from the approximately U-shaped engagement hole, and as shown in FIG. It can be removed in the removal direction DD through. Note that the secondary transfer unit 50 can be attached to the apparatus main body 1A by performing the above-described steps in reverse order. Moreover, the removal direction DD is a direction along the right direction in this embodiment.
[Registration unit replacement procedure]

As shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 9, the registration unit 40 includes a positioning boss 43 and four screw fastening parts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d. The positioning boss 43 engages with the main body frame 90 and positions the registration unit 40 with respect to the main body frame 90 in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. In this state, the registration unit 40 is fixed to the main body frame 90 by fixing the screw fastening parts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d to the main body frame 90 with screws.

When removing the registration unit 40 from the main body frame 90, the service person disconnects the connector of the registration unit 40 from the connector 85 of the relay board 80, as shown in FIG. 4(b) and FIGS. 8(a) to 9. Remove 40a and 40b. Then, the service person removes the wire bundle wrapped around the support member 82 and removes the four screws fastened to the screw fastening parts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d. Note that the connectors 40a and 40b serving as the first connectors are connected to, for example, the registration sensor 41 via bundled wires.

Then, the service person can remove the registration unit 40 from the main body frame 90 through the opening 35 by pulling the registration unit 40 from the main body frame 90 in the removal direction DD as shown in FIG. Note that the registration unit 40 can be attached to the main body frame 90 by performing the steps described above in reverse order.

[Feeding unit replacement procedure]
FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view showing the feeding unit 30, and FIG. 11(b) is a sectional view taken along line 11B-11B in FIG. 11(a). As shown in FIG. 11(a), the feeding unit 30 includes positioning bosses 31a, 31b, and 31c and a screw fastening portion 31d. When the feeding unit 30 is attached to the main body frame 90, the positioning boss 31c and the screw fastening portion 31d are provided at the front of the feeding unit 30, and the positioning bosses 31a and 31b are provided at the rear of the feeding unit 30. It is provided. The positioning bosses 31a and 31b extend parallel to the rotation axis of the pair of intermediate conveying rollers 11.

The positioning bosses 31a and 31b of the feeding unit 30 engage with the second side plate 92 of the main body frame 90, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 12. Thereby, the feeding unit 30 is positioned with respect to the main body frame 90 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Further, the positioning boss 31c of the feeding unit 30 engages with the first side plate 91 of the main body frame 90. Thereby, the feeding unit 30 is positioned in the front-back direction with respect to the main body frame 90. In this state, the feeding unit 30 is fixed to the main body frame 90 by fixing the screw fastening portion 31d to the main body frame 90 with a screw.

When removing the feeding unit 30 from the main body frame 90, the service person disconnects the connector of the feeding unit 30 from the connector 85 of the relay board 80, as shown in FIG. 4(b) and FIGS. 11(a) to 12. Remove 30a. Then, the service person removes the wire bundle wrapped around the support member 82 and removes the screw fastened to the screw fastening portion 31d. Note that the connector 30a serving as the first connector is connected, for example, to the tip detection sensor 31 via a bundled wire.

Next, in order to pull out the positioning boss 31c from the positioning hole of the first side plate 91, the serviceman pulls out the positioning boss 31c from the positioning hole while rotating the positioning boss 31c around the rear side of the feeding unit 30. go. Next, the service person removes the positioning bosses 31a and 31b from the second side plate 92 by moving the feeding unit 30 forward.

Then, the service person can remove the feeding unit 30 from the main body frame 90 through the opening 35 by pulling the feeding unit 30 out of the main body frame 90 in the removal direction DD as shown in FIG. Note that the feeding unit 30 can be attached to the main body frame 90 by performing the steps described above in reverse order.

[Ejection unit replacement procedure]
As shown in FIG. 14, the discharge unit 60 includes a positioning section 61a (not shown) and a positioning section 61b that extend leftward. The ejection unit 60 is positioned in the vertical and longitudinal directions with respect to the main body frame 90 by engaging the positioning parts 61a and 61b with the main body frame 90. As shown in FIG. 15, the discharge unit 60 is fixed to the main body frame 90 by fixing the four screw fastening parts 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d to the main body frame 90 with screws.

When removing the ejection unit 60 from the main body frame 90, the service person removes the bundled wire of the ejection unit 60 from the connector 85 of the relay board 80, as shown in FIGS. 4(b), 14, and 15. Next, the service person removes the four screws fastened to the screw fastening parts 62a, 62b, 62c, and 62d.

Then, the service person can remove the ejection unit 60 from the main body frame 90 through the opening 35 by pulling the ejection unit 60 from the main body frame 90 in the removal direction DD as shown in FIG. Note that the ejection unit 60 can be attached to the main body frame 90 by performing the above-described steps in reverse order.

As described above, the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 as a plurality of transport units can be accessed by opening the jam processing cover 70. Further, by opening the jam handling cover 70 and the cover member 83, the relay board 80 can be accessed.

A plurality of connectors 85 are provided on the first surface 81 of the relay board 80, and the first surface 81 and the plurality of connectors 85 are arranged so as to face the opening 35. That is, a service person can easily access the plurality of connectors 85. Therefore, the plurality of connectors 85 and the connectors provided in the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 can be easily attached and detached, and maintainability can be improved.

Further, the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 are arranged in a space SP between the first side plate 91 and the second side plate 92 of the main body frame 90. On the other hand, the relay board 80 is arranged on the rear side of the second side plate 91, that is, on the opposite side of the first side plate 91 with respect to the second side plate 92. The feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 are attached and detached in parallel to the removal direction DD, which is the right direction in this embodiment. Therefore, the relay board 80 is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the attachment/detachment locus when the feeding unit 30 , registration unit 40 , secondary transfer unit 50 , and ejection unit 60 are attached to/detached from the main body frame 90 . Therefore, the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 can be easily attached to and detached from the main body frame 90, and maintainability can be improved.

Furthermore, the structure is such that the work of fastening screws to the main body frame 90 of the feeding unit 30, registration unit 40, secondary transfer unit 50, and discharge unit 60 and the work of attaching and detaching the units can be completed only from the opening 35 side. It becomes. Therefore, there is no need to remove any other exterior parts other than the jam handling cover 70, and maintainability can be improved.

Further, the relay board 80 has a plurality of connectors 85 provided on a first surface 81 and an FFC connector 87 provided on a second surface 84 opposite to the first surface 81. The FFC connector 87 is connected to the controller board 27 by an FFC 86. In this way, by providing connectors on both sides of the relay board 80, wiring with each transport unit and the controller board 27 can be simplified, and space can be saved. Further, the first surface 81 and the second surface 84 extend along the vertical direction, and when accessing the first surface 81 from the opening 35, the first surface 81 can be made wider. Therefore, many connectors can be provided on the first surface 81, and one relay board 80 can be connected to a plurality of transport units.

Note that although the above configuration is based on the assumption that a double-sided board capable of mounting elements on both sides of the board is used as the relay board 80, a single-sided board, which is cheaper in cost, may be used. If a single-sided board is used, a plurality of connectors 85 and FFC connectors 87 will be provided on the first surface 81. Although this configuration requires more complicated wiring than a configuration using a double-sided board, it is possible to reduce the cost of the board.

[Arrangement of high voltage power supply board, toner collection container and intermediate transfer unit]
Next, the arrangement of the high-voltage power supply board 13, toner collection container 22, and intermediate transfer unit 15 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1000 with the front door FD opened and the left exterior of the printer main body 1 removed. FIG. 18 is a top view of the printer main body 1 viewed in the vertical direction. FIG. 19 is a top view of image forming apparatus 1000 viewed in the vertical direction. Note that in FIG. 17, the feeder 100 and the large-capacity feeding deck 200 are omitted. Further, in FIG. 18, the sheet tray 25 and the cover member 13C are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 17, the main body frame 90 has a metal stay 95 that connects a first side plate 91 and a second side plate 92, and the metal stay 95 is arranged above the intermediate transfer unit 15. ing. A high voltage power supply board 13 is arranged above the metal stay 95. By arranging the metal stay 95 between the intermediate transfer unit 15 and the high-voltage power supply board 13, a user may accidentally touch the high-voltage power supply board 13 while the process cartridge or intermediate transfer unit 15 is removed from the main body frame 90. It can prevent you from touching it. The high-voltage power supply board 13 is arranged so that the board surface is substantially parallel to a plane formed by the photosensitive drums of the four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K.

A cover member 13C is provided above the high voltage power supply board 13 to cover the high voltage power supply board 13, and the cover member 13C serving as a power supply cover is fixed to the main body frame 90 and the high voltage power supply board 13 with a hook or the like. There is. Furthermore, a toner collection container 22 is arranged above the cover member 13C. The toner collection container 22 is placed on the upper surface of the cover member 13C, and is movable in the front and back direction along a rail provided on the cover member 13C.

A front door FD is supported at the front of the apparatus main body 1A of the printer main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. By opening the front door FD, the opening 22a at the front of the apparatus main body 1A is opened, and the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K can be accessed. The process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K can be attached to and removed from the main body frame 90 in the front and rear directions. Furthermore, the user and service personnel can remove the toner collection container 22 from the main body frame 90 through the opening 22a. The cover member 13C covers the upper part of the high-voltage power supply board 13, and is configured to prevent the user from touching the high-voltage power supply board 13 even when the toner collection container 22 is removed from the main body frame 90.

A sheet tray 25 is provided at the top of the printer main body 1, and the sheet tray 25 has a slope 25a that slopes upward as it goes downstream in the discharge direction of the pair of discharge rollers 24, and an abutment surface 25b. It has . Therefore, the sheet discharged onto the sheet tray 25 by the discharge roller pair 24 slides down along the slope 25a, and the rear end abuts against the abutment surface 25b, thereby aligning the sheet in the discharge direction. This improves the ability to stack sheets on the sheet tray 25, and makes it easier for the user to take out the ejected sheet bundle.

Since the sheet tray 25 has the slope 25a, a space is created between the sheet tray 25 and the high voltage power supply board 13. The toner collection container 22 is arranged so that at least a portion thereof is accommodated within this space.

Further, the cleaning unit 21 provided in the intermediate transfer unit 15 is arranged near the tension roller 14. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 17 collected by the cleaning unit 21 is transported upward toward the toner collection container 22 by the toner transport unit 29 . The toner transport unit 29 includes a screw for transporting toner upward and a gear for rotating the screw. The toner transport unit 29 is arranged to straddle the high voltage power supply board 13 in the vertical direction in order to transport the toner from the intermediate transfer unit 15 to the toner collection container 22 .

In FIG. 18, the regions where the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are arranged are indicated by broken lines. At least a portion of the high voltage power supply board 13 is arranged to overlap the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K when viewed from above. Further, the high-voltage power supply board 13 is arranged on the opposite side of the sheet conveyance path CP, that is, at a position closer to the left side of the printer main body 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the high-voltage power supply board 13 is provided with a screw fastening portion 13b, and the screw fastening portion 13b serving as a fixing portion is arranged at the front left portion of the printer main body 1. The high voltage power supply board 13 is fixed to the main body frame 90 by fixing the screw fastening portion 13b to the metal stay 95 with a screw serving as a fixing member. Note that the method of fixing the high voltage power supply board 13 to the main body frame 90 is not limited to fixing with screws. Further, the high voltage power supply board 13 is not limited to the metal stay 95, and may be fixed to any location on the main body frame 90.

[High voltage power supply board replacement procedure]
Next, a procedure for replacing the high voltage power supply board 13 will be explained using FIG. 2 and FIGS. 17 to 20. First, the service person opens the front door FD and takes out the toner collection container 22 from the main body frame 90. Next, the service person removes the exterior cover on the left side of the printer main body 1. By removing the exterior cover, a connector portion connecting the high-voltage power supply board 13 to various electrical boards (not shown) is exposed.

Next, the service person removes the sheet tray 25. The sheet tray 25 is fixed to the main body frame 90 with screws. The service person removes all the screws and pulls out the sheet tray 25 to the left.

Next, the service person removes the cover member 13C that covers the top of the high voltage power supply board 13. After removing the cover member 13C, the serviceman removes all the connectors connected to each connector part of the high voltage power supply board 13, and removes the screw fastened to the screw fastening part 13b shown in FIG. 19.

At this time, as in the present embodiment, a service person may replace the high-voltage power supply board 13 with the image reading section 300 attached above the printer main body 1. As described above, the screw fastening portion 13b of the high voltage power supply board 13 is arranged at the front left portion of the printer main body 1. When taking out the sheets discharged to the sheet tray 25, it is preferable that there is a space at the left front part of the sheet tray 25. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, as shown in FIG. 19, when image forming apparatus 1000 is viewed from above, the left front portion of printer main body 1 is configured so as not to overlap image reading section 300.

The screw fastening section 13b for fastening the high voltage power supply board 13 to the metal stay 95 is arranged so as not to overlap the image reading section 300 when viewed from above. That is, a work space for removing the screw fastened to the screw fastening part 13b is provided directly above the screw fastening part 13b. By arranging the screw fastening section 13b and the image reading section 300 in this manner, a service person can access the screw fastening section 13b without removing the image reading section 300 from the printer main body 1. Further, since there is a work space above the screw fastening portion 13b, the screw fastened to the screw fastening portion 13b can be easily removed, and maintenance efficiency can be improved.

Incidentally, a plurality of contact portions for applying voltage to the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are provided at the rear end portion of the high-voltage power supply board 13. The contact portions are in contact with contact springs provided on the printer main body 1, and the high voltage power supply board 13 applies voltage to the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K via the contact springs.

Since the high voltage power supply board 13 is fixed by a hook provided at the front of the printer main body 1, the service person removes the hook and lifts the front part of the high voltage power supply board 13 upward. Next, the service person lifts the high voltage power supply board 13 upward and moves it forward to separate the plurality of contact portions provided at the rear of the high voltage power supply board 13 from the contact springs provided on the printer body 1. Then, when the contact portions of the high-voltage power supply board 13 and the contact springs provided on the printer body 1 are all separated, the service engineer moves the high-voltage power supply board 13 to the left, thereby attaching the high-voltage power supply board 13 to the main body frame. It can be removed from 90. Note that the high-voltage power supply board 13 can be attached to the main body frame 90 by performing the above-described steps in reverse order.

As described above, the user-replaceable toner collection container 22 can be removed in the front-rear direction with the front door FD open. On the other hand, the high-voltage power supply board 13, which is replaced by a service person, is located below the toner collection container 22 and is located so that it can be accessed from the left side of the printer body 1 rather than from the front side. Further, since the high-voltage power supply board 13 can be attached or detached by moving it in the left-right direction with respect to the printer main body 1, it can be clearly distinguished from a user-replaceable component. That is, the direction in which the high-voltage power supply board 13 is attached and removed is different from the direction in which the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60, which are the plurality of transport units, are attached and detached. In other words, the high voltage power supply board 13 is removed from the surface of the apparatus main body 1A on the opposite side to the jam handling cover 70 side. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user accidentally accesses and touches the high voltage power supply board 13.

<Other embodiments>
In this embodiment, the relay board 80 can be accessed by opening the jam handling cover 70 provided on the right side of the apparatus main body 1A, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the cover is not limited to the jam handling cover 70 as long as it is a cover that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 1A and that allows access to the relay board 80 by opening. Further, the relay board 80 is not limited to the right side of the device main body 1A, but may be placed on any of the front, back, and left side. In other words, in the case of a configuration in which a plurality of transport units can be attached and detached from the left side, the effects of the present invention can be obtained by arranging the relay board on the left side as well.

Further, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1000 includes the printer 400 and the image reading section 300, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the image reading section 300 may be omitted and only the printer 400 may be used as the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the feeder 100 and the large-capacity feeding deck 200 may be omitted, and only the printer main body 1 may be used as the image forming apparatus.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the feeding unit 30, the registration unit 40, the secondary transfer unit 50, and the ejection unit 60 are cited as examples of the plurality of transport units, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The conveyance unit may be any unit as long as it is capable of conveying sheets.

Further, in any of the embodiments described above, the electrophotographic printer 400 is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an inkjet printer that forms an image on a sheet by ejecting ink liquid from a nozzle.

Further, the disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration examples and method examples.
(Configuration 1)
an apparatus main body having an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet;
an opening/closing cover that is supported by the device main body in an openable and closable manner and exposes an opening of the device main body when opened with respect to the device main body,
The device main body is
main body frame,
a plurality of conveyance units capable of conveying sheets and detachable from the main body frame through the opening;
a control board that controls the plurality of transport units;
a relay board electrically connected to the control board;
Each of the plurality of transport units has a first connector,
The relay board has a plurality of second connectors that are arranged to face the opening and connectable to the plurality of first connectors, and when the plurality of transport units are attached to and detached from the main body frame. placed in a position that does not interfere with the attachment/detachment trajectory of the
An image forming apparatus characterized by:
(Configuration 2)
The main body frame has a first side plate and a second side plate arranged so that a space exists between the first side plate,
The plurality of transport units are arranged in the space,
The relay board is arranged on a side opposite to the first side plate with respect to the second side plate,
The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that:
(Configuration 3)
The first side plate and the second side plate extend along an attachment/detachment direction when the plurality of transport units are attached to/detached from the main body frame.
The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that:
(Configuration 4)
The control board is arranged on a side opposite to the first side plate with respect to the second side plate.
The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2 or 3, characterized in that:
(Configuration 5)
The relay board has a first surface facing the opening/closing cover that is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and on which the plurality of first connectors are provided, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. , a third connector provided on the second surface and for connecting to the control board via a signal line;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that:
(Configuration 6)
The relay board has a first surface facing the opening/closing cover that is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and on which the plurality of first connectors are provided, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. , a third connector provided on the first surface and for connecting to the control board via a signal line;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that:
(Configuration 7)
The first surface and the second surface extend along the vertical direction,
The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5 or 6, characterized in that:
(Configuration 8)
The device main body includes a cover member that covers the first surface of the relay board.
8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 5 to 7.
(Configuration 9)
further comprising an image reading unit disposed above the device main body to read an image of the document;
The apparatus main body has a power supply board that generates a voltage to be applied to the image forming section,
The power supply board has a fixing part fixed to the main body frame by a fixture,
The fixing section is arranged so as not to overlap the image reading section when viewed from above.
9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that:
(Configuration 10)
The attachment/detachment direction of the power supply board is different from the attachment/detachment direction of the plurality of transport units;
The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, characterized in that:
(Configuration 11)
The device main body is supported by the main body frame and has a power supply cover that covers above the power supply board.
The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9 or 10, characterized in that:
(Configuration 12)
the power supply board is removed from a surface of the apparatus main body opposite to the opening/closing cover side;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 9 to 11, characterized in that:

1A: Device body / 13: Power supply board (high voltage power supply board) / 13b: Fixed part (screw fastening part) / 13C: Power supply cover (cover member) / 27: Control board (controller board) / 30, 40, 50, 60 : Conveying unit (feeding unit, registration unit, secondary transfer unit, ejection unit) / 30a, 40a, 40b, 50a: First connector (connector) / 33: Image forming section / 35: Opening / 70: Opening/closing Cover (jam processing cover) / 80: Relay board / 81: First surface / 83: Cover member / 84: Second surface / 85: Second connector (connector) / 86: Signal line (FFC) / 87: Third Connector (FFC connector) / 90: Main body frame / 91: First side plate / 92: Second side plate / 300: Image reading unit / 1000: Image forming device / SP: Space

Claims (12)

an apparatus main body having an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet;
an opening/closing cover that is supported by the device main body in an openable and closable manner and exposes an opening of the device main body when opened with respect to the device main body,
The device main body is
main body frame,
a plurality of conveyance units capable of conveying sheets and detachable from the main body frame through the opening;
a control board that controls the plurality of transport units;
a relay board electrically connected to the control board;
Each of the plurality of transport units has a first connector,
The relay board has a plurality of second connectors that are arranged to face the opening and connectable to the plurality of first connectors, and when the plurality of transport units are attached to and detached from the main body frame. placed in a position that does not interfere with the attachment/detachment trajectory of the
An image forming apparatus characterized by: The main body frame has a first side plate and a second side plate arranged so that a space exists between the first side plate,
The plurality of transport units are arranged in the space,
The relay board is arranged on a side opposite to the first side plate with respect to the second side plate,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first side plate and the second side plate extend along an attachment/detachment direction when the plurality of transport units are attached to/detached from the main body frame.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control board is arranged on a side opposite to the first side plate with respect to the second side plate.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The relay board has a first surface facing the opening/closing cover that is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and on which the plurality of first connectors are provided, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. , a third connector provided on the second surface and for connecting to the control board via a signal line;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The relay board has a first surface facing the opening/closing cover that is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and on which the plurality of first connectors are provided, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. , a third connector provided on the first surface and for connecting to the control board via a signal line;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first surface and the second surface extend along the vertical direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: The device main body includes a cover member that covers the first surface of the relay board.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: further comprising an image reading unit disposed above the device main body to read an image of the document;
The apparatus main body has a power supply board that generates a voltage to be applied to the image forming section,
The power supply board has a fixing part fixed to the main body frame by a fixture,
The fixing section is arranged so as not to overlap the image reading section when viewed from above.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The attachment/detachment direction of the power supply board is different from the attachment/detachment direction of the plurality of transport units;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. The device main body is supported by the main body frame and has a power supply cover that covers above the power supply board.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. The power supply board is removed from a surface of the apparatus main body opposite to the opening/closing cover side.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

Images